Test wheel for use in a tire analysis machine

Abstract

An analysis machine uses a test wheel to confirm operation of measurement sensors and software algorithm associated with the analysis machine. The machine includes at least one laser measurement device that measures dimensional characteristics of tires received in the analysis machine. A test wheel is receivable and rotatable in the analysis machine, wherein the test wheel has a known dimensional configuration detected by the at least one laser measurement device to confirm the accuracy of the at least one laser measurement device and/or confirm performance of the software algorithm.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A test wheel used in an analysis machine, comprising:
 a hub adapted to be received in the analysis machine; 
 a test ring extending from said hub, said test ring having a test surface which provides a known dimensional configuration for measurement by devices carried by the analysis machine, wherein said test surface comprises a tread surface having a known radial dimension. 
 
     
     
       2. The test wheel according to  claim 1 , wherein said tread surface has at least two sub-sections, and wherein at least one of said sub-sections has a first known radial dimension and another of said sub-sections has a second known radial dimension different than said first known radial dimension. 
     
     
       3. The test wheel according to  claim 2 , wherein at least one of said sub-sections has a sub-section pocket that receives a tread insert with an insert radial dimension. 
     
     
       4. A test wheel used in an analysis machine, comprising:
 a hub adapted to be received in the analysis machine; 
 a test ring extending from said hub, said test ring having a test surface which provides a known dimensional configuration for measurement by devices carried by the analysis machine, wherein said test surface comprises at least one sidewall surface having a known lateral dimension. 
 
     
     
       5. The test wheel according to  claim 4 , wherein said at least one sidewall surface has a first known lateral dimension and a second known lateral dimension, wherein said first and second known lateral dimensions are different. 
     
     
       6. The test wheel according to  claim 5 , wherein said at least one sidewall surface has at least one sidewall pocket that receives a sidewall insert having at least one of said first and second known lateral dimensions. 
     
     
       7. A test wheel used in an analysis machine, comprising:
 a hub adapted to be received in the analysis machine; 
 a test ring extending from said hub, said test ring having a test surface which provides a known dimensional configuration for measurement by devices carried by the analysis machine, wherein said test ring comprises:
 at least one spoke extending from said hub; 
 a tread surface extending from said spoke and radially disposed around said hub; and 
 at least one sidewall surface extending substantially perpendicularly from said tread surface. 
 
 
     
     
       8. The test wheel according to  claim 7 , wherein said tread surface has at least two sub-sections, each sub-section having a different known radial dimension and said at least one said sidewall surface having a known lateral dimension. 
     
     
       9. The test wheel according to  claim 8 , wherein at least one of said sub-sections has a first known radial dimension and another of said sub-sections has a second known radial dimension different than said known radial dimension, and wherein said at least one sidewall surface has a first known lateral dimension and a second known lateral dimension, wherein said first and second known lateral dimensions are different. 
     
     
       10. An analysis machine that uses a test wheel to confirm operation of measurement sensors, comprising:
 an analysis machine; 
 at least one laser measurement device associated with said analysis machine, wherein said at least one laser measurement device measures dimensional characteristics of tires received in said analysis machine; and 
 a test wheel receivable in and rotatable by said analysis machine, said test wheel having a known dimensional configuration detected by said at least one laser measurement device to confirm the accuracy of said at least one laser measurement device. 
 
     
     
       11. The analysis machine and test wheel according to  claim 10 , wherein said test wheel has a test surface comprising different sections, wherein each section has a different known radial dimension. 
     
     
       12. The analysis machine and test wheel according to  claim 11 , wherein at least one of said sections has a first known radial dimension and another of said sub-sections has a second known radial dimension different than said first known radial dimension. 
     
     
       13. The analysis machine and test wheel according to  claim 10 , wherein said test wheel has a test surface with at least one sidewall surface with a first known lateral dimension and wherein a portion of said at least one sidewall surface has a second known lateral dimension different than said first known lateral dimension. 
     
     
       14. The analysis machine and test wheel according to  claim 10 , wherein said test wheel comprises:
 a hub engageable by said analysis machine; 
 at least one spoke extending from said hub; and 
 a test ring extending from said at least one spoke, said test ring having said known dimensional configuration. 
 
     
     
       15. The analysis machine and test wheel according to  claim 14 , wherein said test ring comprises:
 a tread surface extending from said spoke and radially disposed around said hub; and 
 at least one sidewall surface extending substantially perpendicularly from said tread surface. 
 
     
     
       16. The analysis machine and test wheel according to  claim 10 , further comprising:
 at least one of a controller or a computer connected to said at least one laser measurement device, said at least one of said controller and said computer checking measured dimensional characteristics of said test wheel against expected measurement values to validate said at least one laser measurement device. 
 
     
     
       17. The analysis machine according to  claim 16 , wherein at least one of said controller and said computer produces diagnostic information to be interpreted by a machine operator if no measurement readings are detected in a measurement area where expected.